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many associations : but ltt us never fatgtt thcf : whrt forms a striking il lustration woirid have heen a very feeble argument . We may see in the language Qi the book of Job jxiv 7 , &c __ ,, how ineffectual this analogy was to produce conviction on those to whom the
doctrine of immortality had not been revealed *^' The preacher ' s general estimate of the natural argument for a future life , is not less distinguished by accuracy of judgment than by the beauty of the composition . He thus sets forth the result of
them : 21 , 22 . ic I know of no other arguments than these , which art deserving of being enumerated ; and to what do tfaey amourt ? To probability , perhaps , btrt to nothing like certa ney . In the depth of retirement , at a season when
tbe whole intellectual horizon is clear , so that the smallest object within its K * Hits can be distinctly seer ; , * hen no overwhelming sorrow sinks reason beneath its waves , no stormy passion drives it from its course—urder such a rare and favourable combination the
whence of a future life might preponderate over the circumstances which discountenance the expectation . But what would such a fanh avail for any practical purpose ? These are not the seasons in which the efilcdcy of relig on fe to be tried . He who , by some be * reaving stuke of providence , has seen
tkc object of his purest affect ' ons torn away from him , or who is himself stretched on the couch of death , is ill fitted for pursuing inferences and collecting analogies ; his trembling hand is little qualified to hold ihc balance in which the atoms of probability are weighed against each other ; cr his dim eye , for watching its vibrations . "
I ho contiast which Mr . K , proceeds to draw of the evidence th £ Christian possesses of immortality , will be particularly acceptable to those of out readers who have recently been called to mourn the ravages of death :
23 , 24 . < c How different is the hope which the gospel affords to all who belicvo in ic ! It is built pn no refined spe-
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culations , incompiehensible to the majority of mankind and unsatisfactory even to those who comprehend them 5 varying in the ? r evidence with the cheerful or melancholy bumotir of the mind , and least convincing when most needed $ inHpirin ^ a momentary belief *
when enforced by Some eloquent and subtle advorate , and leaving the mind to scepticism ivhen tbe volume is closed . The evidence of the Christian s hope is at once comprehensible by the meanest , and satisfactory to the most exulted understanding . It is simple , obvious and decisive . The fact of our Master ' s
resurrection is confiimed by the most un * questionable historical testimony ; the gracious promise that because he lives , we shall live g Iso rests for its accomplish ^ meat en His word who has never yet said what has not come to pass /*
We cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of copying this writer ' s observations on the practical efficacy of a belief in a future judgment : 26 , 27 u Your experience will irifoim you of the deep and solemn
influence Wi . ich 'he expectation of a future judgment has over the minds even of those who are least habitually conversant with religious principles . HqW often has it not sealed the lips of perjury , and staid the lifted ami of niurder I How many virtues bas it n <* t inspired , which had otherwise been
unknown ; how rn $ ny has it not exalted and refined , which had otherwise been feeble and imperfect ! You must all have seen how the hopes of a better state have animated old age in the su |> - port of its burdens and * infJrihfcieS , arid enabled youth to be resigned tod
cictefful in the midst of the hopeles ? stckocs * by vhich it was cut off from all the enjoyments vrhich naturally belong to it . And your own hearts will bear testimony 1 hat there are moments in life of deep aud agonizing Borrow , which not
only nothing but idigion «! an illurninate and soothe ^ but in which eVCrf to pour forth the soul in prayer to God would not restore its peace , tiniest we could worship him ae the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , and through him the Giver of everlasting life * ' *' Here we must dismiss this very admirable seroxQUj though we
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240 , Kcnrich s Sermon on a Future Lift .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1814, page 240, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2439/page/40/
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